
2012
112
Bible Study Guide for the Fourth Quarter
The Seventh-day Adventist Church has a statement of twenty-eight funda-
mental beliefs. And though we must always be open to more light, a firm con-
sensus on these beliefs is crucial to the unity and mission of the church. What
has brought together millions of people from all over the world into a unified
movement other than our shared doctrines? The fourth quarter 2012 Adult
Sabbath School Bible Study Guide, entitled: “Growing in Christ,” by Kwabena
Donkor, will focus on some of those teachings. Though we believe that all
twenty-eight are foundational and fundamental to our identity as Seventh-day
Adventists, we cannot study them all in one quarter. We do hope to present
a systematic and coherent guide to most of those beliefs. Special attention
will be given to belief Number 11, “Growing in Christ,” which was accepted
during the General Conference Session in St. Louis, Missouri, in 2005
(see lessons 5–7). This belief, in and of itself, didn’t add new or previously
unknown teaching but, rather, in response to needs in certain parts of the
world, helps to clarify the church’s understanding of God’s power to give
believers in Christ victory over the forces of evil. In fact, all the lessons in this
quarter will be framed within the context of the struggle between Christ and
the forces of evil. It is what we call “the great controversy.”
Lesson 1
—The Great Controversy: The Foundation
The Week at a Glance:
su n d A y : The Controversy and Its Players (Genesis 3:15, Revelation
12:1–17)
m
o n d A y : Lucifer’s Fall (Isaiah 14:4–21, 1 John 3:8)
t
u e s d A y : God’s Weapon (Genesis 3:15)
W
e d n e s d A y : Satan’s Fight (Matthew 2:1–18, 4:1–11, 16:21–23, 27:39–42)
t
h u r s d A y : Destinies (Revelation 14)
Memory Text—
Genesis 3:15
Sabbath Gem:
The great controversy motif is the overarching concept
that gives cohesion to Seventh-day Adventist fundamental beliefs.
Lesson 2
—Revelation, and the God Revealed in It
The Week at a Glance:
su n d A y : The Doctrine of Scripture (2 Peter 1:19-21; 2 Timothy 3:16, 17)
m
o n d A y : The Nature of Inspiration (Matthew 27:37, Mark 15:26,
1 Kings 6:1)
t
u e s d A y : The Mystery of the Triune God (Deuteronomy 6:4, Mark 12:29)
W
e d n e s d A y : The Attributes of our Creator (Genesis 1:1, Hebrews
11:6, Romans 10:17)
t
h u r s d A y : The Activities of God (Genesis 11:9)
Memory Text—
Hebrews 1:1, 2, NKJV
Sabbath Gem:
However important it is to understand the way biblical
inspiration works, it’s more important to know the God revealed to us
through that inspiration.
Lessons for the Visually Impaired
The regular Adult Sabbath School
Bible Study Guide is available free each month in braille and on audiocassette to
sight-impaired and physically handicapped persons who cannot read normal ink
print. This includes individuals who, because of arthritis, multiple sclerosis, paralysis,
accident, and so forth, cannot hold or focus on normal ink-print publications. Contact
Christian Record Services, Box 6097, Lincoln, NE 68506-0097.